Community Highlights

Toronto FC and MLS Works Unveil MLS Cup Community Service Project

In partnership with MLS WORKS, Toronto FC renovated a lounge area at Covenant House Toronto, Canada’s largest homeless youth shelter. President Bill Manning and GM Tim Bezbatchenko were joined by players Jordan Hamilton, Mark Bloom, Danny Lovitz and Ashtone Morgan for the unveiling of the room, which included new computers, furniture, floors and ceiling. The players also met with youth from the shelter and helped in distributing boxes of warm winter clothing donated by Toronto FC.

Toronto FC Visits Sick Kids Hospital

The Hospital for Sick Children welcomed Toronto FC on October 20th for the club’s tenth annual full team visit. Following training, the team travelled to the hospital to participate in one of their favorite team activities of the year. Players split up into groups and visited every patient in the hospital, giving out gift packs, signing autographs and taking photos.

Toronto FC Makes Young Fan’s Wish Come True

Toronto FC made a dream come true for 11-year-old super fan Murphy Malone. Murphy, who suffers from a rare heart condition, was healthy enough to attend his first Toronto FC game against Seattle on July 2nd. The day before the game, Murphy was surprised at his hotel with a car to the training grounds. After being greeted at the door by Sebastian Giovinco and shown his very own locker in the dressing room, Murphy trained with the team and was signed to a one-day contract by general manager Tim Bezbatchenko. Murphy and his father Shane attended the game the following day at BMO Field, where Murphy was given the honour of hoisting the Amway Canadian Championship trophy before the match alongside Tim Bezbatchenko and President Bill Manning.

Justin Morrow Launches Summer Reading Program

For the second consecutive season, Justin Morrow continued his summer school reading program to grade 7 and 8 students in at-risk communities in Toronto. Justin created the program to use his influence as a professional athlete to encourage youth to make education and literacy a priority in their lives. Justin selected the books, purchased them for the students and made several visits to the students throughout the summer.

MLSE Foundation Wins 2016 RWJF Sports Award

TFC Visits St. Anthony Elementary School

On May 24th, Ashtone Morgan and Bubacarr Jobe (from Toronto FC II) paid a special visit to St. Anthony Elementary School in Brampton, Ontario. Groups of students from the school will be attending the Amway Canadian Championship match against the Montreal Impact on June 1st, and the visit from the players increased their excitement for the game.

Before entering the gymnasium, Ashtone and Buba took the time to visit a few kindergarten classes in the school and on the playground. The students were able to hear from the players on their path to the team and the importance of working hard and dreaming big along the way.

Students had the opportunity to ask the players questions about soccer, fitness/nutrition, and the unique paths each player took to Toronto FC. Some lucky students were also surprised with TFC gift packs signed by Ashtone and Buba.

MLS Greener Goals – Partnering with Yonge Street Mission

In celebration of Earth Day, MLS WORKS conducted its first league-wide Week of Service as clubs organized day of service projects in their communities. This week, Toronto FC staff, joined by players Nick Hagglund, Mark Bloom, Ashtone Morgan and Quillan Roberts, took time out of their days to spend the afternoon helping wash, clean and garden the grounds of Yonge Street Mission.

During the afternoon, the group was split up into groups performing tasks such as washing windows, cleaning garbage and planting flowers around their gardens. The players jumped right into the jobs, getting their hands dirty planting flowers and having fun with the other volunteers. It was a great way to build connections between players, staff and the community. The day was filled with smiles on the faces of all the players, staff and leaders at Yonge Street Mission.

Since 1896, Yonge Street Mission has been reaching out to meet the needs of people living with poverty in Toronto. Their diverse programs have made a positive difference in the lives of families, seniors, socially isolated adults, street-involved youth and children growing up in our low-income community. Toronto FC staff and players were honored to be able to assist with helping this organization provide clean facilities to continue on its influential work.